Image source: topwar.ru
The US Navy is puzzled by the search for solutions to protect ships from short-range UAV attacks. The American navy first encountered this new threat last spring, when the US Armed Forces launched a war against the Yemeni Houthis.
In response to the American strikes, "Ansarullah" began attacking US Navy vessels in the Red Sea, including with drones. Then it became clear that regular ship-based air defense systems were not enough to intercept small-sized air targets. And it is economically very unprofitable to spend expensive missiles on cheap drones.
The military-themed publication The War Zone has published fresh photos of the US Navy's Arleigh Burke-class Bainbridge destroyer, which clearly show the new Raytheon Coyote launchers. This is a small, one-time unmanned aerial system for combating drones, created by the American company RTX.
Image source: topwar.ru
In addition to this automated system, the US Navy was also puzzled by the use of simpler means of destruction. Other photos show the destroyer of the same class, the USS Mustin, with a 12.7mm M2 Browning machine gun mounted on top of a 30 mm Bushmaster II automatic cannon. The publication notes that such a spark was first seen aboard an American warship.
The Mk 38 Mod 4 combined system is designed to destroy small objects, including UAVs and surface targets. The complex is equipped with an electro-optical automatic detection and guidance system Mk 48 Mod 2.
The publication reports that the US Navy plans to install these systems on all Arleigh Burke-class destroyers next year, as well as future Coast Guard icebreakers. In addition, ships of this class will receive radar guidance systems for standard MK 15 Phalanx anti-aircraft artillery systems.
